Kevin Durant Awarded NBA MVP

The Oklahoman called Kevin Durant “Mr. Unreliable” last week. The NBA calls him MVP today.

The Oklahoma City Thunder forward won his first MVP award today. His 119 first-place votes dwarfed the six first-place votes of last year’s winner LeBron James, who agreed that Durant deserved the award. The sixth-year player won the scoring title with 32 points-per game this season. He also averaged 7.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists. James had won the award in four of the last five seasons. Blake Griffin, Joakim Noah, James Harden finished behind Durant and James in the voting.

Durant responded to the Thunder’s hometown newspaper’s dis by scoring 33 to finish off the Memphis Grizzlies in Game Seven of their first-round playoff series. Durant hopes to add his first ring to his first MVP award later this postseason.

Durant’s Oklahoma City Thunder host the Los Angeles Clippers, who lead the playoff series 1-0, on Wednesday night.